RAGE, vascular tone and vascular disease

Abstract

Evidence provided by both clinical and pre-clinical studies regarding a central involvement of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in vascular disease continues to mount. RAGE is upregulated as a consequence of activation of the ubiquitous pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB which is activated in response to diverse inflammatory stimuli including hyperglycaemia, oxidised low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and reduced shear stress. RAGE may maintain and amplify inflammatory responses in the vasculature if ligand for the receptor is present. RAGE binding by circulating advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) or S100 protein released by activated leukocytes results in ..